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Hulse remembered, named Mayor for the day

BLACKFOOT — Butch Hulse aspired to be the mayor of Blackfoot someday, a city he loved so much; however, he lost his battle with a congenital lung disease, at the age of 65, on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City while awaiting a lung transplant. Hundreds gathered at Hulse’s funeral service at Hawker Funeral Home Friday, where he was proclaimed Honorary Mayor of the City of Blackfoot for Oct. 12, 2012.
Hulse, a Blackfoot native, was serving as a city councilman for the City of Blackfoot at the time of his death.
Besides being commemorated for his love of the city and the many good things he did for Blackfoot, Hulse was remembered by friends and family for “his charisma, his optimism and his goodness.”
Terry Hopkins, Hulse’s friend from Blackfoot High School’s Class of 1965, reminisced about her longtime friendship with Hulse, fondly recalling the pink, white-top convertible, with no heater, that he drove in high school.
“He was always Mr. Optimistic...and had so much charisma,” she said. “He always landed on feet. If he didn’t have a job, he created one.” Professionally, Hulse was a hairdresser who once worked with famous hair stylist Paul Mitchell. He ran Trios Hair Salon on Meridian Street in Blackfoot for a number of years saying he “loved to make the ladies look good.”
“The Class of ‘65 is like family. When we lose one of our own, it’s like losing family,” Hopkins stated, addressing Hulse’s widow, “Paula [Hulse] you will always remain part of our family.”
Hulse’s friend of 12 years, Gordon Wankier, also spoke of Hulse’s optimism and zest for life, saying, “He was so full of life...so full of ‘let’s get something done.’ “
“He had so many projects going,” Wankier went on, specifically mentioning Blackfoot’s Music in the Park. “Butch got this going for our community and what a wonderful way for people to spend a summer evening with family and friends.”
“Butch made me a better person. He was kind and unselfish and always thought of others before himself.”
Hulse, who served in the Army as a medic during the Vietnam War, received full military honors at his funeral by American Legion Stewart Hoover Post #23.
An account has been set up at Zions Bank,1350 Parkway Drive, in Blackfoot for donations to help with Hulse’s medical bills and funeral cost. Donations can also be made to the Utah Organ Donors Association at http://www.yesutah.org/content/programs.